Foster Care, People Rely on Your Strength, Understanding, Knowledge and Dependability

My Caregiver JOURNAL As a caregiver for individuals in foster care, people rely on your strength, understanding, knowledge and dependability. But mostly, they count on your care. This journal will give you valuable tips and a place to record vital information, as well as space to write down your feelings and concerns. DISCLAIMER: This book provides general information about caregiving and related issues. The information does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting with a licensed health professional. Consult with a qualified physician or healthcare practitioner to discuss specific individual issues or health needs and to professionally address personal medical concerns. The power to care. Caring for someone is rarely easy. The balance between taking care of a child’s health, safety and emotions can be overwhelming. This workbook will give you some tools and resources to help you look after children placed in your care. One key to remember is that when providing care, YOUR well-being should be top of mind. With your health, safety and emotions in check, you’ll be better prepared to care for another. So, take care of yourself, give of yourself and defi ne yourself with the power to care. What’s Inside Health Plan Information Health Plan Information . 3 This is your workbook. Use it as a guide and My Child’s Information . 4 resource for your general caregiving routine. The Basics of Caregiving . 5 Make the workbook your own by fi lling out this info. Signs of the Times . 7 Roles of a Caregiver . 7 Primary Health Insurance Provider for My Child: Relationship Issues . 8 Why We Do It . 8 Health Plan: Communicate . 10 Respect Privacy . 10 Member Number: 10 Ways to Make Things Easier . 11 Group Plan Number: 5 Ways to Keep Yourself Healthy . .12 Keep Safety in Mind . .15 Member Services Number: Other Safety Tips . .18 Keeping It All Together . .19 Care Manager/Service Coordinator Name: Medication Log . 20 Health History . 22 Allergies . 23 Care Manager/Service Coordinator Phone Number: Fitness for You . 24 My Exercise Log . 26 Dealing with Stress . 28 24/7 Nurse Advice Line Phone Number: Rest, Relax, Recharge . 29 Ask for Help . 30 Take a Break . .31 Calling the Care Manager/Service Coordinator . 32 Managing Caregiving & Work . 33 Support Groups . 35 My Journal . 37 Resources for Caregivers . 44 3 My Child’s The Basics of Caregiving Information Date of Birth: CAREGIVER: Primary Care Doctor: Caregivers are broadly defi ned as foster Primary Care Doctor’s Phone: parents, parents, family members, friends Specialist Doctor: or neighbors who provide care to children in Specialist’s Phone: foster care. Specialist Doctor: Specialist’s Phone: While you have likely completed pre-service training in preparation Respite Care Provider: for caring for children in foster care, you may not have experienced Respite Care Provider Phone: fi rst-hand what it is like to parent a child other than your own. More Pharmacy Name: specifi cally, you might not have had the experience of parenting a child who has experienced signifi cant complex trauma. Pharmacy Phone: Providing care for a child is rarely easy. The time spent caring for Non-emergent Medical Transportation Name: someone who can’t care for him or herself can leave you physically Non-emergent Medical Transportation Phone: and emotionally tired. Emergency Contact Name & Phone: But if you’re the type of person willing to give of yourself to help Secondary Emergency Contact: someone else, this book might help. Guardian Ad Litem: CASA: Judge: Employer (if applicable to child): Employer Phone: 4 5 Caregiver Basics Signs of the Times Some children in foster care may need extra attention. Keep an eye out for these signs that the child in your care may require some additional help: Does your child have a primary disability or chronic condition? »Sleep diffi culties » Trouble paying attention at school » Fighting with peers »Excessive crying »Bullying » Unhealthy eating patterns Responses to Trauma: If you recognize these symptoms, please consult a therapist and your child’s caseworker/case manager. What supportive services or accommodations are needed? Roles of a Caregiver As a caregiver, you wear many hats: doctor, nurse, tutor, secretary, chauff eur, cook, housekeeper and social worker. Your duties may include: » Keeping track of information on your child’s condition, treatment and care » Monitoring your child’s health » Helping your child make choices about his/her health » Handling your child’s emotional needs » Planning for your child’s future care and treatment 6 7 Relationship Caregiving isn’t without challenges. When asked, caregivers give Issues examples of stress like these: Getting to know the child is important in providing the kind of » Loss of privacy care he or she needs. Your relationship may change during this » Limits on free time or a social life time, in good and bad ways. » Less time for other family members The secret to success is that it is really about the two people » Giving up vacations, hobbies or favorite activities recognizing this is a diffi cult time and being open to give and take. Realizing this will lead to a relationship that thrives. Be » Physical and mental exhaustion gentle, be caring and be understanding. » Frustration with not making progress with child » Financial strain What do you think could become a problem Why We Do It for you during caregiving? Caregiving provides many positive experiences for the caregiver. We feel good about ourselves when we are useful, especially by helping others who cannot care for themselves. We’re motivated by the belief that we’re doing the right thing. And we are. Use the journal in the back of this book to explore your own reasons for caregiving and the feelings that go along with those reasons. 8 9 Communicate Ways to Make The child in your care might worry about being a burden, taking up your time and Things Easier asking too much of you. Create productive communication by doing these things: GET READY: Learn what is expected of you. Figure out » Show respect. 1 your schedule and how much time you can devote. » Watch what you say – try not to use phrases like “You never...” or “You always...”. 2 GET ORGANIZED: Organize medical and legal info and keep it up-to-date, in order and easy to fi nd. » Listen to the child’s feelings with compassion. » Build and encourage two-way conversations. 3 GET SUPPORT: Seek information and advice from other caregivers and support groups. » Allow him or her to show independence – your loved one has a right to his or her dignity, so allow him/her to do things in their own way. 4 GET TALKING: Learn the best ways to communicate with » Speak in ways that support the abilities of your loved one. the doctors and healthcare team. » Be reassuring when talking to the child in your care. 5 GET HELP: Take help from others who off er it. Don’t be » Notice fears and react in a positive manner. afraid to ask for specifi c tasks. » Work through disagreements to reach a solution. 6 GET HEALTHY: Take care of your own health so you are » Set aside time each day when the child knows you have the time and strong and well enough to care for another person. energy to listen. GET REST: A good night’s sleep every night and regular 7 breaks during the day will help you concentrate and have the energy to provide for others. Respect Privacy 8 GET HAPPY: Depression can be an issue when caregiving for another. Watch for signs and seek professional help if you need it. Please remember these precautions and ideas when addressing these issues: 9 GET THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY: Caring can be easier if » The child may request doors be left open. you’re open to using technology. Personal computers, tablets and smartphones can keep you connected to information, » The child’s anxiety level might rise at bath or bedtime. healthcare teams, pharmacies and the health plan. » The child might prefer a night light on. GET TO KNOW YOURSELF: You’re now doing one of the » Slow down and describe what you are about to do. Taking a more 10 toughest jobs there is. Figure out what makes you tick and relaxed approach will feel less like you are invading personal how understanding yourself can make you a great caregiver. territory. 10 11 5 WAYS TO EXERCISE & STAY ACTIVE 2 Exercise has many benefi ts, including relieving Keep Yourself Healthy stress and improving your mood. It may be hard to motivate yourself to exercise after a Don’t feel guilty about taking care of yourself. If you are not demanding and stressful episode(s) with your child, but it well-rested and healthy, you cannot tend to the healthcare will help you feel better. Regular exercise will also boost your needs of others. Follow these steps to keep your own health energy level and may help you feel less tired. and well-being an important part of your caregiving plan. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes each day. It may be when you get up in the morning, during a lunch break, before SLEEP WELL dinner or later in the evening. 1 Don’t cut back on your sleep schedule. Trying to get more done by sleeping less rarely works. You need more sleep than you think you do. 3 EAT WELL Eight hours a night is normal. Cheating yourself Fuel your body with the best things to give you lasting energy: of this precious downtime means: »Fresh fruits »Vegetables » Your mood could change » Your stress may » Whole grains, like brown rice or oatmeal » Your energy level may reduce be greater » Lean proteins, like fi sh, chicken, eggs or beans » Your productivity could go down » Your ability to handle » Healthy fats like nuts and olive oil stress may weaken Sugar and caff eine may seem like they provide energy, but it doesn’t Sleep Chart: last.

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